View Poll Results: One foot down or two?
One foot down
65
26.86%
Two feet down
177
73.14%
Voters: 242. You may not vote on this poll
When you stop at a stop light
Usually both down, as a matter of course, I ride a lot of chip sealed and older roads and the gravel strewn about makes 1 foot a little dicey at times. I will use left down only if Im on a hill and need to hold the rear brake while I roll on.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I used to put both feet down. After reading some good arguments on here, and learning form experience, I try to keep my right foot up, as much as possible. The main reason is is you have to stop unexpectedly, and the front wheel is turned, you want to use the rear,and not the front. If you don't have your foot in position, you have to use the front, and you're liable to drop the bike.
This is the second year, I've been working on keeping my right foot up. At first it felt awkward, and I only did it on level ground, when I had good balance. This year I can do it most of the time. If I suspect compromised traction, I still use 2 feet.
This is the second year, I've been working on keeping my right foot up. At first it felt awkward, and I only did it on level ground, when I had good balance. This year I can do it most of the time. If I suspect compromised traction, I still use 2 feet.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 36
Likes: 5
From: Southern Ontario
Yep. Same here.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 391
Likes: 176
From: Leicestershire, United Kingdom
I keep both feet up for as long as I can, and then almost always put both feet down. If all the weight of the bike is on one foot, that foot is more likely to slip; it's also easy to get caught out by gravel or a dip in the road so, if I'm only using one foot, there is a risk of overbalancing. I've lost count of the number of times advanced rider instructors have told me that the one thing they want to pick me up on is using both feet; I've given up trying to explain my reasons to them. UK road design means the risk of high speed rear ending is fairly low so, unless I feel at risk, I slip the bike into neutral just before I come to a complete halt. That's less strain on the clutch cable and mechanism, and less strain on my hand. I then put it into gear when the lights are about to change, or if I see in my mirror someone approaching too fast and I have an escape route. I personally knew someone who got rear ended while waiting in gear; the jolt meant he released the clutch and shot straight into oncoming traffic. Waiting in gear isn't always safer. If I'm on an unusually steep upward gradient I'll hold the bike on the brake pedal, but generally I find I can do a hill start by holding the bike on the front brake with my fingers while rolling the throttle cupped in my thumb and palm.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 180
Likes: 32
From: Alberta, Canada
Two feet down at lights. I was a sportbike guy 10-15 years ago. Back then a rear brake was only used when added to the front for emergency braking, and to get the front tire back down when going to high in wheelies. Fast forward to cruisers and I still ride all front brake except slow speed turning and a panic stop, I hate using back brake on the Ultra, the factory pedal is in a crappy position. I engine brake all the time as well, so I barely touch the brake till I'm going slow at lights. Also depends on traffic behind me, I will tap brakes earlier to let people know.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,133
Likes: 504
From: Lake County, IL
Usually just left foot down, can vary with road grade or slipperiness. Right foot on brake, clutch pulled, in 1st gear. Have been known to put both feet down when necessary to avoid bike drop.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 64
From: West Liberty, Ohio
these were easy results to predict, just watch riders. HD riders predominately 2 feet and of those majority duck-walk. Sport riders 1 foot. Just my observations over 40 years. Bike size, one up,2-up, still 1 foot(actually on toes, but I could flat foot it easily).
Today, no feet.
Today, no feet.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 660
Likes: 27
From: Southern Illinois
I happened to be following a Illinois LEO the other day. When he came to a red light his left foot went down. I believe that LEO motorcycle cops are probably trained to do many things the same way. Maybe that's one of them.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 1,651
From: Olean, NY